SARS-CoV2 seroconversion in asymptomatic individuals

COVID-19 Research Area(s): Diagnostics, Genomics & Transmission Dynamics, Epidemiology & Public Health

SARS-CoV-2 proved to spread extremely rapidly and can be lethal in fewer than 5% of cases. However, research also suggests that most exposed individuals have mild disease and may even not develop any symptoms. To determine if someone has been exposed to SARS-CoV-2, testing for antibodies in blood could be useful. People with mild disease can develop antibodies within about a week. The process through which people develop antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (like any other virus) is called seroconversion. Antibodies generally last for months after an infection. For SARS-CoV-2, we do not know for sure how long these antibodies last, and to what extent they can recognize other coronaviruses (i.e. cross-reactive), including common ones, and finally if these antibodies confer protection against future disease occurrence. This research aims to address some of these scientific knowledge gaps.

In this study, we aim to i) establish the baseline seroprevalence for SARS-CoV-2 in a subpopulation of the greater Vancouver area recruited at Children's & Women's Health Center, ii) determine the proportion of this population that show reactivity to other common human coronaviruses and iii) study the immune (T cell and B cell) determinant of seroconversion. This study is a collaboration between researchers at the BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (UBC), PHSA, the NIH Vaccine Evaluation Center and Case Western University (Cleveland, Ohio). As of June 12, 2020, 284 adult individuals (over 18 year-old) had been enrolled...